Symbol of America as a Global Power

During the 1890s, the United States showed little interest in foreign affairs. Its army, with just 28,000 soldiers, was one-twentieth the size of France’s or Germany’s. Its 10,000-man navy was a sixth the size of Britain’s and half the size of Spain’s.

Toward the end of the 19th century, interest in foreign affairs mounted. Some worried that the United States was being left behind in the scramble for territory, markets, raw materials, and outlets for investment. Others, such as the naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan, believed that national prosperity depended on control of sea lanes. Still others believed that the United States had a special mission to uplift backwards peoples.

Beginning in the late 1880s, a new assertiveness characterized American foreign policy, evident in disputes with Germany, Chile, and Britain. In 1893, Americans in Hawaii forced Queen Liliuokalani to abdicate; the United States annexed Hawaii five years later. War with Spain in 1898 led to the acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, where the United States confronted a two-year insurrection.

Fear that the United States was being shut out of trade with China led Secretary of State John Hay to issue the 1899 Open Door Note. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine declared that the United States would exercise “international police power” in the Western Hemisphere. The United States assisted Panama in securing its independence from Columbia in order to build a canal across the Isthmus of Panama. The U.S. occupied Nicaragua for 20 years, Haiti for 19 years, and the Dominican Republic for 8 years. Thus at the turn of the century the United States became a world power.

The Spanish American War and the acquisition of the Philippines represented both an extension of earlier expansionist impulses and a sharp departure from assumptions that had guided American foreign policy in the past. For the first time, the United States made a major strategic commitment in the Far East, acquired territory never intended for statehood, and committed itself to police actions and intervention in the Caribbean and Central America.

Symbol of America as a Global Power

It is a rare privilege to create a product that is synonymous with a symbol of American power. Under the UAT Arms brand, it is with a profound sense of pride that we introduce the UBR-16 rifle. This weapons system is designed and manufactured at the highest level of precision and quality because it has to be. When freedom and democracy are threatened around the world the U.S. Soldier needs tools that are reliable and precise. The rifle has long been a symbol of American power and it is righteously so.

In the 1700’s the American Long Rifle or “Kentucky Rifle” was designed. The rifle was light in weight; graceful in line; economical in consumption of powder and lead; fatally precise; distinctly American. This rifle enabled the first Americans to outgun the British in Revolutionary War. In 1860 Christopher Spencer developed the Spencer Repeating Rifle. While most of the soldiers in the Civil War went to battle with muskets, this rifle enabled Union troops to fire as many as 20 rounds per minute. In the summer of 1872 the Colt Single-Action Army Revolver was developed. Designed for the U.S. cavalry by historic gun maker Colt, this pistol defined the Wild West. In 1873 the Winchester Repeating Arms Company manufactured the Winchester Rifle. Commonly referred to as “The Gun That Won the West”, the Winchester Rifle was one of the first repeating rifles and a favorite of Teddy Roosevelt. It fired the same type of ammunition as the Colt revolver, but with a bigger punch.

In 1902 Springfield Armory delivered the M1903 Springfield bolt-action rifle. This rifle was fed by a five-round magazine and really staked its claim in the trenches during World War I. It remained on active service as a sniper rifle through the Vietnam War. In 1911 John Browning developed The M1911 Pistol for U.S. military. This .45-caliber pistol was the standard issue sidearm for the U.S. military from 1911-1985. Durable and powerful, it’s still in use by Army Special Forces, and elite units in the Navy and Marine Corps. Invented by John T Thompson and manufactured by the Auto Ordinance Company, the Thompson Submachine Gun/M1921 was used by World War I soldiers. The “Tommy Gun” is one of the most recognizable and versatile weapons on the planet. It is compact, easy to wield, and shoots a large .45-caliber bullet as quickly as 1,500 rounds per minute. In service from 1936-1957 the M1 Garand was the first standard issue semi-automatic rifle. This weapon redefined small-arms combat the world over. It had a huge stake in World War II and the Korean War. In 1956 the rifle that would be a staple of the U.S Military for almost six decades was invented, the M16 Rifle. Despite its slow start in the Vietnam War, this rifle is currently the standard weapon of choice for the U.S. armed forces, where it has performed flawlessly through the first Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Intelligent details are the hallmark of UAT designs and are the guiding principles behind our most innovative products. American power and design have always been distinct and with a specific posture have always reflected the American way of life. At UAT ARMS we are always paying attention to the details while innovating and maintaining respect for American tradition.

The UBR-16 represents the natural evolution in the American arsenal and defines a benchmark for all battle rifles to be measured against. With stricter guidelines on materials quality, machine and polish tolerances and reduced maintenance requirements the UBR-16 is the most efficient and reliable battle rifle available.
A battle rifle is not a competition rifle. It is a tool that cannot fail because the stakes are much higher than a score card. For an operator, a battle rifle must have the potential of having the incredible speed executing effectively and efficiently. It must be reliable as a true combat weapon. This is not for recreational use.

For us, applying the best tools out there into a product is the beginning. We must also combine the best products with the best designs, based on real combat experience. The spirit of the UBR X-1 embodied the spirit of innovation that has guided UAT ARMS ever since. To push boundaries, to reach the pinnacle of craftsmanship, performance, accuracy and reliability. A unique mark, powerful; sophisticated and exquisite in every way. Each rifle carefully designed and true to its innate purpose. Continuing to set new benchmarks and unmistakably: UAT.

At UAT we know what and who we are designing this weapon for. This is what makes UAT, UAT.